When most of us see athletes we only see the finished product. Many are unaware of the emotional and financial sacrifices, the endless hours of dedication and the burning self belief that propel a person forward in the world of elite sports. I salute today’s guest for what he has put himself through. Danny Needham is a decathlete that has represented Great Britain through various age levels and he is here to talk about the life of an athlete and so much more. I feel very privileged to be in the presence of this gifted young man with a bright future ahead of him.
Hello Danny and welcome to TBUR. Please introduce yourself to my lovely readers.
Hello Munir, Thank you very much for having me and taking the time out to read this! Okay, so sport has always been a big part of my life. As a youngster I participated in a wide variety of activities until I found something I truly had a passion for. This being athletics at the age of 11. I tried out all the different events and found that sprint hurdling was something I excelled in. So I decided to specialise in this for around 5-6 years between the ages of 13 and 19. During this time I won numerous national titles and medals and was fortunate enough to represent England. However, I did eventually make the decision to turn to the decathlon as I did not see myself achieving what I felt I was not only capable of, but was born to do. This being to be a regular competitor at global events and ultimately win an Olympic medal. This decision was difficult because I loved the event, but I thought back to my younger days and how I was talented across all events and it just made sense. This choice proved a success when I got selected to represent Great Britain at the combined events international championships after just 5 months of training for the event. This success continued for the next few years and I achieved another 2 more GB vests. Nonetheless, these years were very trying for me not only physically but mentally due to injury struggles. But we will get into that. Away from athletics, I have also been a high achiever throughout education, performing very well in my GCSE’s and ultimately graduating university with a Bsc honours degree in Sport and Exercise Science.
I believe that I have shown a glimpse of what I can do with the struggle that I’ve had to go through and I feel that with the extra financial help I WILL make it and compete with the best!
Wow, with so many different sports to participate in as a decathlete, how often do you train and how much time do you have to dedicate to each discipline?
Yeah it is very difficult indeed. But it is something I love to do and as stupid as it may sound, I love the feeling I get after a hard and gruelling training session when you know you have worked to your limits! I just find it oddly satisfying. I train 6 days a week (Monday to Saturday) and on some of those days I train in the morning and the evening. In terms of time – collectively it would total up to between 35-40 hours per week. So it pretty much feels like a full time job! In terms of time spent on the different individual events, there is not really a set schedule that people follow as everyone is completely different and will have their own strengths/weaknesses. Personally, my throws are my weaker events so it is vital to spend time mastering the technique and always aiming to improve. Nevertheless, it is still important to keep trying to push forward in your stronger events as well just as the ultimate goal is to obviously achieve more overall points!
Well you’ve been doing pretty ok so far (understatement of the year) talk me through the different levels you’ve competed at.
Thank you! So I’ve competed across the board, starting out as a youngster competing at low key competitions for my local club, and my most recent that was before my last injury was the Indoor Combined Events International Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, where I competed for Great Britain. This competition played host to some of the best decathletes in Europe. It was an incredible experience, and I actually won 2 out of the 7 events (it is heptathlon indoors). Moreover, I also won athlete of the competition which was decided by the GB team managers and athletes because I battled through various demons and even a broken wrist, to ultimately show what combined events is truly about! The next step for me is to compete on a wider global standard at an event such as the Olympics or world championships!
You are a tough cookie young man, what’s the process of recovery when you get injured and how does it affect you?
That’s a very good question! Well obviously it would depended on the injury itself. So one major injury I suffered back in 2013 was an avulsion fracture to my hamstring where it attaches to my pelvis. So basically my hamstring had ripped the bone away from my pelvis. I know what you’re thinking… OUCH! In this case, generally, an operation is required to repair the fracture, however a lot of research suggests that the natural way of healing is more beneficial! This meant that I had to undergo solid rest for around 2-3 months followed by a 5-6 month gruelling rehabilitation programme. My most recent injury was a stress fracture to my navicular bone in my foot along with some cartilage damage also. This was another injury in which the recovery time was quite substantial – around 7 months. This inevitably has a detrimental effect on you as an athlete – both physically and mentally. It affects you physically obviously because you lose your fitness during the recovery period and have to work extremely hard in order to return to this level again. But the worst parts are probably the psychological effects that injury comes with. This is something you have not to let overcome you which can ultimately lead to worries such as whether the injury will reoccur when you return. So to summarise – injuries suck!
The high volume of training also means that I need to consume close to 5000 calories a day due to the amount that I burn off in order to help with recovery and maintaining my energy levels. I am allowed to treat myself every so often though – I mean I do love me some lemon meringue pie!
On a scale of 1-10 how hard do you have to work to get back into shape after being out with an injury and what does it feel like during that time?
In my case it’s definitely up there between 8-10. It was extremely challenging and really tested my mental strength. Having to stick to a monotonous, but crucial rehabilitation programme is testing, but these things happen in sport and you just need to remind yourself of why you started in the first place! I actually experienced and even overcame depression in my most recent injury. It got me at such a low state, and to be honest I doubted myself at one point. But I have such incredible support around me, and this support coupled with my mental toughness, it wasn’t long before I was on the grind again! Furthermore, in my case I’ve always got back to fitness faster than normally expected, and I tend to not lose my technical ability that much so in terms of that it is just a case of reminding myself and going through the motions again. I would definitely say the psychological side is more trying than the physical – for me anyway as I love to work hard.
Good to hear you’re back on track (pardon the pun), I’ve heard many an athlete speak about lack of sponsorship holding them back, can you elaborate on that?
Yes of course I can. Money has always been something that I and my family have struggled with. But I do not feel bad about it as it has made me appreciate it much more! In terms of the lack of sponsorship, I believe it massively holds you back, particularly in such a gruelling and demanding event such as the decathlon. Firstly, due to the strenuous activity that this event involves, this means that the body is put through its paces day-in and day-out, therefore regular physiotherapy treatment is necessary in order to keep your body in one piece. However, these sessions are expensive and are something that I have never really been able to afford regularly, which could have potentially helped to avoid the injuries that I have experienced. Additionally, there is also the equipment aspect of it. I mean I compete in 10 different events, which means that I will need equipment ranging from pole vault poles, to varying footwear, to weighted throwing implements. And these are not cheap!! On top of this, there are competition fees, accommodation, travel to and from events and training – the list goes on. I have had part time jobs or else I would not have been able to get by – but I feel this just inhibited me more because I was training 4-5 hours, then heading to work and not getting back home until late. Also, more often than not with part time jobs, the schedules are not very consistent with my training which is all over the place. One thing that is essential in the decathlon is recovery – it can be almost as important as training and having a part time job made this impossible. I and many people believe that I have the capability and talent to compete at a very high standard, however the financial struggle and lack of help is bound to limit me considering what needs to be covered to compete at the top. I believe that I have shown a glimpse of what I can do with the struggle that I’ve had to go through and I feel that with the extra financial help I WILL make it and compete with the best!
I always assumed sponsors would queue up at your door as you are a great athletic prospect, how does one get a sponsor?
As I’ve said – I have shown only a glimpse of my capability. In terms of getting sponsorship it is about being consistent at a specific standard. So to elaborate on this, I would have to be ranked in the top 3 in the country and achieving the decathlon standard regularly for various global competitions (i.e European athletics champs, world athletics champs, etc). Once you reach this level, then sponsors would start to come but it is a tough journey to get to it. Moreover, there are funding opportunities with British athletics as they are linked with the national lottery. They have two different types of funding – development and podium. Development funding refers to athletes that have shown promising results and progress in their event and have the potential to reach global medals in the next year or so. Podium funding refers to those athletes that have achieved a medal at such international events. I definitely have the ability to reach the top, however with the unstructured and ‘getting by’ approach I’ve had, it is simply not good enough in this event to be able to sustain this consistency. I’ve shown that I can reach this standard and be competitive on a global scale, I just feel like the added financial aid will help to give me the tools in order to show that I belong at that level.
It got me at such a low state, and to be honest I doubted myself at one point. But I have such incredible support around me, and this support coupled with my mental toughness, it wasn’t long before I was on the grind again!
If any potential sponsor is reading this why should they go for Danny Needham over someone of equal athletic ability?
That is a great question! Firstly, I believe that I have great determination and drive which is evident from the journey that I have battled through. If I set myself a goal, I will do everything in my power to reach it. On top of this, and not to blow my own trumpet as it were, I do feel that I am a marketable individual and have the whole package. So as I have mentioned, not only am I academically bright, but I am also gifted in a wide-variety of sporting activities, not just athletics. This ranges from trampolining, to golf, and even parkour. Moreover, I have had experience in the modelling industry, and have been approached for shoots with companies such as Specsavers, Nike and Men’s Health. To talk about me as a person, I am a genuine, kind-hearted and confident guy. I also have a great affinity with children and young adults. I worked as a multi-sports coach at my local youth centre with ages 7-19. I found this extremely rewarding and the relationship I was able to build with all ages and both genders was clearly evident from the feedback and results that was achieved through my sessions. In view of all this, I believe that I have all the essential qualities to work extremely hard for my dream, but also to fulfill any promotional requirements requested by possibly future sponsors.
A future brand ambassador if I ever saw one! What is your diet like?
I do have to follow a strict diet! So yes, this does mean avoiding takeaways, alcohol and sweets. I have a very balanced diet. It is quite difficult due to the variety of activities that my training involves but I am very dedicated to my craft so I make it work. The high volume of training also means that I need to consume close to 5000 calories a day due to the amount that I burn off in order to help with recovery and maintaining my energy levels. I am allowed to treat myself every so often though – I mean I do love me some lemon meringue pie!
I’m more of a Mississippi mud pie man myself haha. What’s it like watching live decathletes on TV and not being there participating?
Also a very good choice haha! Well, to be honest it was very difficult when injured because I know in my heart I deserve to be at such events. Nonetheless, I do get excited because I see people that I have previously beaten in a specific event and it reassures me that I will be there one day. Just need the financial help in order to maintain consistency in training structure and keeping my body together through physio treatment.
Yeah it is very difficult indeed. But it is something I love to do and as stupid as it may sound, I love the feeling I get after a hard and gruelling training session when you know you have worked to your limits! I just find it oddly satisfying.
Well you’re definitely looking good at the moment. Danny thank you very much for coming on TBUR and taking the time to educate us all and I can’t wait to see you on the podium.
Awesome! Well thank you very much for having me. Been a pleasure!
Danny is active on Instagram and can also be contacted on Facebook. It’s a great opportunity to support a future Olympic medal winner and learn a thing or two about what it takes to compete.
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